UNBROKEN Brings the Untold Story of Shen Yun to San Francisco

The San Francisco premiere of UNBROKEN: The Untold Story of Shen Yun will offer audiences an inside look at the people and experiences behind Shen Yun Performing Arts. Directed by Fiona Young and produced by Sincere Pictures, the 82-minute documentary follows two brothers and fellow Shen Yun performers as they move from ordinary American childhoods into the demanding world of classical Chinese dance and international performance.

The film explores the performers' rigorous artistic training, spiritual convictions, commitment to traditional Chinese culture, and the challenges they have encountered as Shen Yun has grown into a global performing arts phenomenon. It combines personal storytelling with investigative reporting to examine what happens when art, faith, and cultural preservation encounter political pressure.

The screening will be followed by a panel and Q&A with Shen Yun artists, moderated by Steve Lance, investigator and executive producer of the documentary. The afternoon will conclude with a red carpet reception and meet-and-greet with Shen Yun artists.

The event has particular significance for the Bay Area, where Shen Yun has performed for years. Allison Chen, a former Shen Yun dancer featured in the documentary, will attend the San Francisco premiere in her home city. Chen describes the film as an opportunity to show audiences the story behind the posters, billboards, and performances that have become familiar throughout the Bay Area.

The premiere comes during Shen Yun's 20th anniversary year. Founded in 2006, the company now operates eight touring companies, each featuring more than 30 dancers and 30 musicians, and presents a new production every year to audiences around the world. More than one million people attend Shen Yun performances annually.

Following its initial release during Shen Yun's 20th Anniversary Season, UNBROKEN received more than one million streams and has since expanded into 14 languages, with more than 100 theatrical screenings scheduled across five countries.

The San Francisco premiere also comes ahead of Shen Yun's 2027 return to the city. The company's upcoming San Francisco performances are scheduled for December 30, 2026 through January 3, 2027, at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House.

RSVP: [email protected]

SCHEDULE:

1:30 p.m. Doors open

2:00 p.m. Documentary screening

3:30 p.m. Panel discussion and Q&A

4:00 p.m. Red carpet reception and meet-and-greet with Shen Yun artists